The expansion plans come as the firm revealed strong results for the six months to February 28 2015 with pre-tax profits up to £32m from £18.2m last time.

Revenue rose to £118.5m from £149.7m as McCarthy & Stone started building work on 39 sites during the period.

Group chairman John White said: “We continue to target investment of £2 billion in land and build over four years to deliver around 12,000 new homes across more than 300 locations, support growth and capture a wider share of the active retiree market.

“Our strategy of creating an efficient and scalable business capable of building and selling more than 3,000 units per annum over the medium term remains firmly on track.

“The challenges presented by an ageing population means that there remains a pressing need to build more specialist retirement housing, and we have been actively calling on all political parties to focus on this area ahead of the forthcoming general election.

“It is imperative that they look beyond the needs of first time buyers and proactively encourage more and better housing options for our growing elderly population.”